PM’s approval rating dips after Bersih 3.0

Merdeka Centre carried out its poll three weeks after the April 28 rally and subsequent rallies organised by pro-BN groups.

PETALING JAYA: An independent survey conducted in Peninsular Malaysia shows that Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak’s approval rating dropped to 65% in May from 69% in February this year.

Pollster Merdeka Centre said today that the results were taken three weeks after the Bersih 3.0 rally and subsequent rallies organised by pro-establishment organisations.

The survey respondents consisted of 1,019 registered voters, 59% of them Malay, 32% Chinese and 9% Indians. They were selected at random and interviewed by telephone.

During the massive April 28 Bersih rally in Kuala Lumpur, police allegedly assaulted scores of protesters and journalists. The government has since set up a commission to investigate the violence but many quarters, including the Bar Council, have cast doubt over the panel’s independence, headed by former IGP Haniff Omar.

Merdeka Centre said in a press statement that although Najib’s approval rating had dwindled, he still enjoyed a 70% approval rating from respondents aged above 50 years old.

“But the premier’s approval rating stands at only 61% among those aged below 30 years old.”

The poll also showed that Najib’s approval rating among those earning less than RM1,500 a month soared from the 78% to 82%.

However, Najib’s support from middle income earners dived from 68% to 50%.

Merdeka Centre also analysed the survey results according to the respondents’ racial backgrounds.

Najib’s approval rating among Malays improved from 78% to 82%. However, he has become less popular among the Chinese, with the percentage dropping from 56 to 37. Support from the Indians, too, has dropped—from 80% to 72%.

The pollster also measured the public’s satisfaction with the government itself. It’s popularity level remains the same at 48%.

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